SIP & SAVOR -- Fun at Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin, TX
by Andrew Chalk Summer tis’ the season for outdoor festivals, even when the mercury does hit triple digits. The Omni Barton Creek Resort...
top of page
Travel
Travel is about the place, but usually also about the cuisine and the wine and spirits of the place.
andychalk
Aug 6, 20232 min read
RESTAURANT QUICK LOOK: Blind Salamander, Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin, TX
by Andrew Chalk Situated strategically to offer imposing eastward views towards Austin, with a choice of indoor or outdoor seating, Blind...
162 views0 comments
andychalk
Jun 6, 20232 min read
Take Dad Outdoors this Father’s Day at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
FROM THE WIRES... It’s that time of year again to treat Dad to a special and memorable Father’s Day! This year, Omni Barton Creek Resort...
28 views0 comments
andychalk
Jan 17, 20233 min read
HOTEL CERRO: TRANQUILITY IN SAN LUIS OBISPO
by Andrew Chalk EGO - WHO WE ARE I stumbled into the hotel lobby around seven o’ clock in the evening. Physically exhausted after a long...
89 views0 comments
andychalk
Nov 11, 20225 min read
TRIP TO PASO ROBLES? STAY IN A TUSCAN VILLA
Allegretto Vineyard Resort Is In a Class of its Own by Andrew Chalk Prior to the pandemic, I traveled a lot on business and invariably...
232 views0 comments
andychalk
Oct 9, 20223 min read
HOTEL REVIEW: AT THE ROYAL SONESTA NEW ORLEANS YOU CAN HEAR THE GUY SNORING IN THE ROOM NEXT DOOR
by Andrew Chalk I have always wanted to stay at The Royal Sonesta New Orleans but could never find a price that made it a good deal. The...
379 views0 comments
andychalk
Sep 27, 20223 min read
QUICK TAKE: SWAMP FOX RESTAURANT, CHARLESTON
by Andrew Chalk I went searching for some southern cooking while in Charleston for a few days and saw some good words for Swamp Fox. The...
122 views0 comments
andychalk
Jun 20, 20223 min read
Olive & Hay has been awarded the Napa Valley Wine Award by The Napa Valley Vintners
by Andrew Chalk Olive & Hay has been awarded the Napa Valley Wine Award by The Napa Valley Vintners in recognition of the restaurants...
39 views0 comments
andychalk
Jun 15, 20222 min read
SAN ANTONIO UPDATE 2022: MORE AND BETTER RESTAURANTS IS THE STORY.
PARITY WITH HOUSTON, DALLAS, AUSTIN by Andrew Chalk Over this last week I have run reviews of places visited on a recent visit to San...
123 views0 comments
andychalk
Jun 14, 20224 min read
Rent the Whole Resort!
FROM THE WIRES.... FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Victoria House Resort & Spa, Belize Unveils Hotel Buyout Opportunity for Exclusive Access to a...
64 views1 comment
andychalk
Jun 12, 20222 min read
MOKARA HOTEL & SPA AWARDED ONLY FOUR-STAR HOTEL AND SPA IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
by Andrew Chalk This week we have reviewed several interesting restaurants in San Antonio. If that inspires you to take a trip to the...
96 views1 comment
andychalk
Jun 9, 20224 min read
Boudro's -- A Welcoming Bistro on the Riverwalk
by Andrew Chalk The San Antonio Riverwalk is back! Overflowing crowds making it perilous to pass on the narrow paths, narrowed further by...
418 views0 comments
andychalk
May 12, 20222 min read
HILL COUNTRY EVENTS: VinoCadre Organising Lavish Wine Tasting Dinners
by Andrew Chalk VinoCadre, a Hill Country wine tasting and event company of professional sommeliers held one of their lavish wine tasting...
87 views0 comments
andychalk
Apr 22, 20221 min read
If You Pay for Onboard Internet On TAP Air Portugal and It Doesn't Work They Will Not Refund You
by Andrew Chalk You sometimes pay for a technical service up front and then find out that it does not work. When this has happened and I...
1,463 views0 comments
andychalk
Feb 21, 20221 min read
Create Your Own Essential Oil at Korinkyo
FROM THE WIRES... A minimalist yet luxurious approach to traditional Japanese living comes to life in Ishikawa, Japan’s newest hotel,...
69 views0 comments
andychalk
Feb 2, 20221 min read
VINO VINYASA® ANNOUNCES FIRST WINE & YOGA RETREAT IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
by Andrew Chalk From the wires... Austin, TX – February 1, 2022 – Vino Vinyasa® has announced its first wine & yoga retreat, which will...
74 views0 comments
andychalk
Jan 7, 20223 min read
IS THIS NIRVANA FOR DIGITAL NOMADS?
by Andrew Chalk One lasting result of the pandemic is an enduring increase in the number of people ‘working from home’ or, more...
45 views0 comments
andychalk
Jan 3, 202214 min read
A LONG WEEKEND IN MADEIRA
by Andrew Chalk You fly into Madeira on Friday morning after a one and three-quarter hour flight from Lisbon and leave first thing...
385 views1 comment
andychalk
Nov 9, 20211 min read
Michelin 3* Chef Hits Montage Los Cabos
by Andrew Chalk FROM THE WIRES... Exciting news, Meadowood’s Chef Christopher Kostow is collaborating with Montage Los Cabos for a...
57 views0 comments
andychalk
Jul 29, 20211 min read
What Is Happening In North Texas Wine Country?
by Andrew Chalk While the Texas High Plains is the main growing area (70% of all wine grapes) and the Texas Hill Country is the state's...
38 views0 comments
andychalk
May 18, 20211 min read
NAPA/SONOMA BEHIND THE SCENES WINE TOUR WITH CHEF KENT RATHBUN
by Andrew Chalk From the wires... https://lux214.com/napa-wine-tour/
37 views0 comments
andychalk
Jan 26, 20211 min read
ELKHART LAKE CELEBRATES WINTER IN WISCONSIN
by Andrew Chalk From The Wires... Elkhart Lake embraces the frosty snowscape of this year’s winter wonderland with the annual celebration...
52 views0 comments
andychalk
Sep 11, 20204 min read
Movie Review: A CHEF'S VOYAGE
What happens when a three Michelin star chef from California visits France? by Andrew Chalk Set the controls for Virtual Cinema on...
107 views1 comment
andychalk
Sep 4, 20204 min read
Past Tense: Before He Came to Jalisco Norte, José Meza Built a Compelling Resume on Two Continents
by Andrew Chalk When I heard in 2017 that a new restaurant, Jalisco Norte, opening in Turtle Creek Village, had hired a young Mexican...
149 views0 comments
andychalk
Jul 6, 20205 min read
AUGUSTA VIN: NEW TEXAS WINERY WITH BIG GOALS
by Andrew Chalk “Texas’ Premier Estate Winery” is what it says on Augusta Vin’s homepage. A bold claim for a winery that has only been...
1,232 views0 comments
andychalk
Jun 29, 20201 min read
BEJAS: FREDERICKSBURG TEX-MEX AND MORE
by Andrew Chalk Sometimes you want some let-your-hair-down casual food in a let-your-hair-down casual atmosphere. In historic...
30 views0 comments
andychalk
May 1, 20201 min read
Texas Tour: There Is A New Lubbock Emerging...
by Andrew Chalk There is a new Lubbock emerging and you can read about it here.
42 views0 comments
andychalk
Apr 13, 20202 min read
MUST STOP: TRAILBLAZER GRILLE, BURNET
by Andrew Chalk I can’t count the number of times I have driven through the bustling County Town of Burnet on my way south to San Antonio...
68 views0 comments
andychalk
Apr 3, 20203 min read
Canyon Of The Eagles Best Place to Stay in Texas' Highland Lakes Region
by Andrew Chalk The Texas Hill Country is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country. However, most visitors think of...
353 views0 comments
andychalk
Apr 1, 20202 min read
MUST STOP: OPIE’S BBQ, SPICEWOOD
by Andrew Chalk “Life is Good in Spicewood, TX” it reads on the home page of Opie’s BBQ. Doubtless Opie’s sees itself as a major reason...
507 views0 comments
bottom of page